When it comes to fluid flushes, there seems to be some confusion as to whether or not they are needed. Considering the fact that engine oil, transmission fluid, steering fluid, brake fluid and coolant are all vital to the operation of your vehicle, they should be maintained on a regular basis. So, yes, fluid flushes are necessary. These fluids are designed to protect the various engine systems. As you drive your vehicle, the fuels begin to break down and they don’t protect like they should. This, in turn, leads to more wear and tear on your engine parts causing the potential for breakdowns while reducing the life of your vehicle. But how often should you have the vital engine fluids flushed and replaced?
Fluid flushes are an important part of car maintenance, especially if the goal is to keep a vehicle on the road for as long as possible. By taking into account the information in the owner’s manual along with the advice of a reputable automotive repair shop, like Country Road Automotive, you will be able to set the appropriate fluid flush and replacement schedule for your vehicle and in the conditions in which you drive.
As a general guideline, most automotive professionals recommend fluids be flushed and replaced as follows:
- Engine Oil – Standard engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles. If you use a synthetic blend or full synthetics, you’ll be able to go longer between oil changes. If you have exceeded the recommended mileage for an oil change, it may be prudent to have an engine oil flush done to remove any debris that has accumulated from running the engine with dirty oil.
- Transmission Fluid – The recommended schedule for transmission and filter changes is about every 25,000 to 30,000 miles. In addition to the fluid change, you should check the condition and level of the transmission fluid once a month. Transmissions operate at very high temperatures. Older transmission fluid will begin to break down. If you need to add transmission fluid, it’s dark brown or black in color, and/or it smells burnt, there may be an issue with the transmission. A word of caution: If you have never changed the transmission fluid and filter, check with us before doing so. At that point, it may be best to leave the transmission fluid alone as changing it may loosen debris that will cause problems with transmission performance.
- Coolant Flushes – This vital engine fluid should be drained and replaced at least every 2 years. Older fluid will not be able to protect your engine from extremely hot and cold temperatures. It also can’t prevent corrosion of internal engine parts.
- Brake Fluid – Car owners don’t typically check or replace their brake fluid unless there is a problem with the hydraulics of the braking system. However, if you want to prolong the life of the hydraulic components within the braking system, you should have the brake fluid changed every 2 to 3 years.
- Power Steering Fluid – This is another vital fluid that is rarely changed. If you have any work done on the power steering system, you should ask that the power steering fluid be flushed and replaced.
If you find you are still not sure about if or when you should have any or all of these vital engine fluids flushed and replaced, ask the certified auto technicians at Country Road Automotive. We will gladly review the service history for your vehicle and provide you with our recommendations. We can even show you how to check the fluids in your vehicle so you can be more aware of required maintenance. Click here to schedule a fluid flush for your car, truck or van.